FORM OF OPINION AS TO TAX MATTERS
[DATE], 2025
Jade Biosciences, Inc.
221 Crescent Street, Building 23, Suite 105
Waltham, Massachusetts 02453
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as U.S. tax counsel to Jade Biosciences, Inc., a corporation incorporated pursuant to the laws of Delaware (“Company”), in connection with the proposed merger of Caribbean Merger Sub I, Inc. (“First Merger Sub”), a newly-formed corporation incorporated pursuant to the laws of Delaware and a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Aerovate Therapeutics, Inc., a corporation incorporated pursuant to the laws of Delaware (“Parent”), with and into the Company, with the Company as the surviving corporation (the “First Merger”), and the subsequent merger of Caribbean Merger Sub II, LLC (“Second Merger Sub” and, together with the First Merger Sub, “Merger Subs”), a newly-formed Delaware limited liability company and a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent, with Second Merger Sub being the surviving entity of the merger (the “Second Merger” and, together with the First Merger, the “Merger”) pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger among the Company, Parent, and Merger Subs dated as of October 30, 2024 (the “Merger Agreement”). At your request, and in connection with the filing of the Form S-4 (Registration No. 333-283562) (including the proxy statement/prospectus contained therein, the “Registration Statement”), we are rendering our opinion concerning the qualification of the Merger as a “reorganization” within the meaning of section 368(a) of the Code.1 Capitalized terms used but not defined in this letter shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Merger Agreement.
In rendering our opinion, we have examined the Merger Agreement, the Registration Statement (as amended or supplemented through the date of this letter), and such other documents as we have deemed necessary or appropriate for purposes of our opinion. In addition, we have assumed that (i) the Merger will be consummated in accordance with the provisions of the Merger Agreement and as described in the Registration Statement, (ii) no transaction, covenant, or condition described in the Registration Statement and affecting this opinion will be waived by any party, (iii) the statements concerning the Merger and the parties set forth in the Merger Agreement are true, complete, and correct, (iv) the Registration Statement is true, complete, and correct, (v) the statements and representations made by Parent and the Company in their respective officer’s certificates dated as of the date of this letter and
1 Unless otherwise indicated, all “section” references are to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”), as in effect as of the date of this Opinion.